Deer Country Network

[Everything seems... frustrating. Everything seems like it's stewing. He wanders around, trying to find something to do other than swatting bugs and killing (and sometimes saving) beasts.]

[But is everything really... how it's supposed to be? He's not sure. He takes a crystal out of his pocket and stares at it for a while. He's not sure how to use the magic here - he's tried, but maybe because it crosses the rift he can't call upon others? He huffs in frustration, curling up a little bit.]

]But he doesn't let go of the crystal. This crystal, which means so much to him, that came to him through a twist of fate. ... But was it really fate? Or was it always going to happen?]

[Eventually, he grabs his omni and writes out a post. Anonymously, because... well. He doesn't want people to worry. Even if it'll probably be obvious that it's him...]

Is who you were in the past important to who you are now?

I would have said yes, but some days... some days I'm not sure. I don't know anymore.

Everything's so complicated and I don't even know if who I was is who I am now...

Maybe this was stupid to ask. Sorry.

( The feed opens up to a young man sitting on a bed in a dimly-lit bedroom. Dark circles blossom beneath his eyes like bruises. To say he seems nervous is an understatement. His general body language is tense and a bit withdrawn, and it isn't difficult to spot the way his hands literally tremble as he places them in his lap, or the way his voice shakes here and there at the edges. )

Hey there. I'm uh— not sure how many people might already know me, but I'm Peter. Peter Graham. I don't think I've ever like.... really introduced myself on this thing, but I've been here for a while. I was in Deerington, too.

( He gives a shy little smile that looks more like a wince, something almost apologetic. )

I'm not— I'm not too good at this kind of thing. But I wanted to ask something, something I've been thinking about for.... awhile. I guess this is going to sound kind of weird. ( An awkward pause, and then Peter's leaning to reach for a little sheet of paper, holding it in his hands. Yes, it seems that he's written down what beats to hit.... )

Got my notes. ( Another pained little smile, before the expression slowly sobers into a frown, and his eyes are dropping down to look at his paper. )

Does anyone have any experience with...... séances? Or any information about them in general? Um.... I know what they basically are, what they're meant to.... do. To open a door— a veil? To communicate with someone who's died.

( There's the softest flutter of Peter's eyelids, and a gentle exhale, before he continues. )

But is it possible that they can do... more than that? Maybe something else could get through the veil? Something that isn't.... the ghost that a person was trying to talk to. Something that maybe even isn't a ghost at all?

Is it possible that someone could make that happen.... intentionally?

( Peter has to take a few moments to breathe, heart pattering away anxiously in its ribcage. All of this is exceptionally difficult for him to address. )

....Whatever you might know, or could tell me. There are things that... happened, back in my own world, and I'm still.... trying to understand. I've been learning more about the uh... supernatural, from people here. But I figured I would open this up to the public, get as much information as I can.

It's okay if you don't wanna tell who you are though, if you'd rather go anonymous. I know this kind of stuff can be.... weird. Um, personal. ( The lump in his throat tightens, as he slowly reaches to end the message. )

Thanks for listening. I— I appreciate it.

[Echo is clearly in an area with a lot of plants, but with the situation all month it's hard to tell where exactly that might be. The Omni is far enough away that her Omen must be operating it.]

A question.

[She may as well make that her username at this point and save everyone some time...]

Is managing vegetation a feasible job in this place throughout the year? Admittedly I have not paid much attention to the plants in my time here.

[As she speaks, a giant Venus flytrap lurches at her from the side as the surrounding overgrowth suddenly shifts. Seemingly without even moving her head, Echo swipes her arm upwards and slices right through the middle of the plant with the short sword protruding from her large sleeves. Its leaves drop where they were.]

I have become rather adept at shearing plants in these past few weeks. I've also been attempting to determine how one obtains a suitable job without it being assigned to you as part of your purpose. This seems like a possible solution.

[She's probably completely wrong about this being a useful job here, but please feel free to help her. She needs as much as she can get...]

Uhm, hi . . . My name is Ahiru.

I'm looking for someone. His name is Fakir. I . . . can't seem to find him? And I don't know where he is. Maybe someone can help me look?

He looks like this.

[ she holds up a picture. clearly a perfect artist's rendition of fakir. ]



He also scowls a lot and looks like he's bored, but he's very nice actually! He's a ballet dancer and uhm . . . [ ahiru fiddles with her dress. ] . . . I just want to make sure he's okay.

[Savage almost never posting to the network, but with all the people being affected by this upcoming heart day, he figured there were answers that were necessary to make it survivable. Or at least probably less anger-inducing because people were insufferable overall.]

This... Valentine's Day thing. It's for mates to reaffirm their bond to one another from what I have gathered.

What do all the singles supposed to do? We don't have such a day like this where I'm from, and our mates generally despise us anyway, so nothing like this would work.

It seems last year it was some single people being sad and pathetic. I assume there is something single people are supposed to do that I'm missing.

[He may as well try to learn some traditions beyond his own. He's never had to frantically try speed dating; their version was a fight to the death to impress a Nightsister, so it was short-lived for some.]

HELLO YOU WONDERFUL AND AMAZING PEOPLE OF TRENCH!

[Are your eardrums ringing from that enthusiastic greeting? Usagi is already incredibly complimentary and encouraging to her friends to begin with, so her suddenly being compelled to be MORE complimentary and encouraging?

Well, it's led to... this. No one should be shocked that the rabbit is now amped to the nth degree.]

LET'S ALL GIVE THE PEOPLE WE CARE FOR COMPLIMENTS!

We've done the whole "insult and edgy dirt nonsense" on people thing but time for some love! Cause who doesn't love love?

And I don't mean like, backhanded compliments. Real compliments! Good compliments! [She pumps a fist.] You can totally do it! I believe in each and every one of you!

And if you really, really, REALLY cannot give someone ELSE a compliment, give yourself one! You deserve one, too!

As is usual when I turn to this device, I have a query to ask of you.

Due to the odd prevalence of them as of late, I have found myself wondering: Why are children so juvenile? Is there any particular purpose to them or their behavior? Would it not be better for all involved to avoid this state altogether?

[She may speak in an almost deadpan manner, but it's pretty clear Echo's asking this with 100% interest and sincerity.

She gives a quick bow of her head.]

Thank you.

[A certain someone had come in late to the game, with only a stack of notes and what looked to be a bulleted to-do list tacked to the wall. There were a multitude of unanswered questions-- and the few answers available only brought more to the foreground.
It was time to make some forward motion.]

Morning all.

Here's a questionnaire to answer at your leisure. Feel free to use the anonymous and privacy functions if they are more to your tastes, given the sensitive nature of the questions. Detail isn't necessary, unless you want to give them. This is just a surface level poll.

1) Who is your Patron?
2) How do you relate to them?
3) How is your Blessed Day significant to you?
All answers will be screened on request. I understand that people may want to keep certain details private.

[With that matter taken care of, 'Athena' set about their life in peace. They landed in Trench with a grand puzzle, and it was going to be fun to solve.]

[He still doesn't trust people, not here. Not anywhere, really. But he has to know. In a place this weird, he has to know.]

I'm just wondering... who here is not human? You don't need to tell me who you are if you don't want to, but I just want to get a sense for how many people who are not human are here.

I can't be the only one.

And a second question: is it safe for those who are not human here? I mean, I am definitely not like one of those beast things and I have no plans of attacking people. But human-dominated places tend to be somewhat unsafe for us.

And if you are some kind of mad scientist type reading this? Fuck off. We don't need people like you on our asses.

[Is that enough of a difference from his usual typing? He'll have to be careful about capitalization and punctuation so it sounds different from him, but...]

[ her feed turns on and there's ahiru, a girl, not a duck. ]

Uhm, so . . . I've been here for a year. Which is really long and I was just thinking that . . . it's been so nice. To be here. And to meet new people and try new things. Also make so many friends.

So, uhm, to celebrate . . . I'll give you a compliment! To celebrate everyone. And if I don't know you, uhmmm, I'll give you my best first impression!

[ she bows lightly. ]

[It may be hard to realize this is an actual video feed at first. The Omni seems to be resting on a blue table or desktop. On the far edge of the screen, a small book sits open. It looks very much like a journal of some sort. If you pay careful attention, you could realize that someone is actually writing in it right now. The movement of the shadows, the occasional appearance of a hand or a pencil. Nothing on the pages is legible, however.

What it does have a very good view of is a photograph resting just next to the diary.]

( Image and description within, CW: noose-like imagery )

[The screen features this picture for several minutes. There is no sound apart from the soft friction of handwriting as the unseen figure continues penning whatever they're writing.

Finally, a hand appears and picks up the photo. They flip pages backwards until reaching a specific one, carefully place the picture inside, and shut the book. After this, the hands pick up the Omni. For a moment it seems like there might be a nice segment of floor watching, but suddenly the picture spins around.

Staring straight into it is obviously the same girl from the picture, albeit dressed differently. The initial surprise on her face quickly turns to a more mortified expression as she continues looking silently right into the camera. At least with color on this picture, you can obviously see how red her ever-worsening blush is!

Eventually she attempts to speak, but she is either having trouble finding words or getting her mouth to move properly, or maybe it's both. After a few more awkward moments, she finally manages to loudly stammer something.]

D-Don't...bother!

[Right as she finishes saying this, she very quickly (and almost desperately) turns off the feed.]

( he doesn't typically make use of the network, content to read and stay within his own boundaries but he's feeling a little thoughtful today so.

so, here he is. )

if you had the choice, would you stay alive eternally and watch everyone you love eventually die or would you die young and miss out on a life lived?

( This is not Peter Graham, though of course, posting anonymously takes away that possibility. The user didn't want to use the boy's network handle, to inevitably be seen through the filter of "Not Peter."

The user is trying to define his own identity. )

why did you choose your title here on this THING
what is the meaning
?
?

( ...Texting is still something he struggles with, though the demon has been watching and learning and forming his own conclusions on how to do it. Autocorrect is a life-saver. Two questions get two question marks. ....Even if they go in the wrong place. )

i will grant you a
GOLDEN COIN
if you
RESPOND

( ...For those who know Paimon fairly well, that particular offer of exchange might betray who he is. But the demon of Knowledge is curious to hear reasons, and within them: perhaps stories, memories, self-perceptions. There is a meaning to everything, whether simple or complex.

And perhaps by the end of it, he will know what title he would give himself, here on the network. )

[Maul's doing a little better than he has been the past few months. At least he's not all corrupted into insanity like he was for a couple of weeks in July or about to breakdown after his video in June. Sharp-eyed viewers will notice he's got a new piece of jewelry. On the ring finger of his left hand, there's a black, sparkly wedding band made of Darkblood. Yep, Maul got hitched. But who would be crazy enough to marry the Zabrak Sith Lord? A question one can ask if they're feeling especially brave.]

Everyone always thinks they're the hero in their own story. And it's easy to justify that you are no matter what you do because you're the main character in your mind. No one ever wants to admit they're just one of the side characters or even the villain. And how do you even know when you've become the bad guy? It's easy to say what actions you undertake are for the greater good or at least something that will get you what you want. You keep telling yourself that until you look around one day and see the only monster around you is yourself.

[He leans forward.]

I am very fond of stories. So I'll tell you a story about a villain from my world and you can tell me one about a hero or villain from yours in return.

Once upon a time, there was a young man who had darkness in his heart. He coveted power amongst all else and to that end he committed many monstrous acts to gain it. When he saw that his family stood in his way, he killed them all without thought. Over the years, he gained power but it was never enough. Always, he wanted more. Eventually, he realized that no matter how much power he possessed, he would lose it all when he died. And so he sought to gain immortality.

He eventually found a Sith Lord, very old and wise, who told him he had discovered the secret to living forever. "Become my apprentice, do everything that I command, and I will teach you my secret," he told the man. And so he did. Day after day, year after year, he obeyed the Sith Lord, committing many more atrocities in his quest to gain immortality.

He would often ask the Sith Lord, "Am I ready?"

The response was always the same. "Not yet."

After many years the man, no longer as young as he once was, began to grow impatient. He went to his master. "I have done all that you asked. Teach me what you promised."

The Sith Lord merely laughed in his face. "You will never be ready to learn."

The man felt rage rise up within him. "Why not?"

"Because only a Sith who has no fear can conquer death. But you? You will always fear dying no matter what you do and so you will never master the secret of immortality," the Sith Lord told him with contempt.

The Sith apprentice was furious. He felt he had been lied to and so he waited. His master never slept, for he had seen the future and knew he would die in his sleep, but his apprentice was cunning. Eventually, he got his master drunk, and the Sith Lord finally fell asleep. So the apprentice took up his lightsabers, stabbing his master in his hearts, and killing him. Only then did his anger abate and he realized he still did not know the secret to living forever.

He would spend the rest of his life seeking it out and never finding it until the day he died, always shackled by his fear instead of facing it head on and conquering it instead. He used the power he'd acquired to create a vast empire that stretched throughout the entire galaxy but still it was not enough. Always he was afraid of what was to come at the end of his life. And when he finally died, betrayed by his own apprentice as usually happens with Sith Lords, it was done so screaming in fear as he realized he had failed in his lifelong ambition.

[He pauses for a moment, examining his claws without looking up.]

That was a true story by the way. It is called the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise. Sith Lords often have a dramatic way of doing things, especially when it comes to teaching their apprentices.

I would like to ask for advice.

Last month, I badly hurt someone.

I don't like them, but they didn't deserve what I did to them.

And this person is important to people who are important to me, too.

What should I do? I don't know if an apology is enough. I don't know if they even want an apology, and I don't know what to do if they need more.




Thank you for taking the time to read this, even if you can't respond.

[Echo appears and immediately begins speaking. Her body language is mostly calm and collected, and her expression is an inquisitive one. This is notable due to the fact that she simultaneously has watery eyes with the occasional tear escaping down her cheeks. Her typical almost-monotonous voice does have a bit of a strain to it.]

Hello. I have another question.

Why would someone returning to the sea cause another person sadness? The knowledge that they are safe, content, and not... [Her lips tighten as she pauses.] ...not experiencing any troubles is entirely satisfactory. Particularly for an association that was previously thought to be certainly concluded.

[Echo shakes her head a bit.]

I do not understand it.

[After an awkward moment of silence, she gives a quick bow of her head.]

CW FOR MASS MURDER OF UNARMED CIVILIANS, RELIGIOUS FANATICISM, THEMES OF NIHILISM AND UNREALITY, GASLIGHTING, "MERCY KILLING", THREATENED HARM TO CHILDREN, CHARA IN GENERAL, MOTHER MERCY IN GENERAL

( SHOW NO MERCY. )

[Kazuma is obviously in the Archives. The looming shelves, claustrophobic framing, and dim lighting is more than enough to give that away. There are open tomes around him, but he isn't reading any of them; instead, he's considering the camera with a quizzical look, chin in his hand as he leans on the table he's at.]

Before the patrons of this place decide to plague us with more of the same, I have a mundane question for all of you.

We have many places we can choose to make our homes here. I am currently in Crenshaw, previously in Willful Machine...I moved with someone I know well. The point being, there are reasons we choose these places, correct?

What drew you to yours? What merits does it have to have others consider it? Is it because of people you know, or something else?

[He sighs and drums his fingers on the tabletop.] I just never really gave my own lodging much thought...I am wondering if most of us settle where it is convenient, or if we find other reasons to gravitate to where we end up.

I wonder.

[In view was a rose bush, a pale hand cupping a rose of delicate blue, others yet to bloom and some still with their petals curled close within the shot. Moving then, downwards as fingertips brushed open petals of another.]

Does anyone have a particularly favorite color of rose?

[The one under Alice's touch slowly darkened in color, going from shades of blue to purple to pink-]

These have been coming along well.

[A project she'd taken up with Break, once things had settled between them and weren't so tender. A play with Darkblood abilities, and of course she'd taken to it like a duck to water. Of course it was a project she'd let take up a lot of her time, a distraction from things that had been going on.

A want of seeing beautiful flower gardens once upon a time not a terrible inspiration to sink time in to. A creative outlet.]

Whether the color has meaning to you or not, isn't it nice to see something you like? Perhaps thought you might never again, even something so small as a rose of a particular hue.

[When the video starts, Usagi is pulling on her fingers and biting her lip. She has some bag under her eyes because of the coming and going nightmares but she looks fine otherwise.

She takes a deep breath, opens her mouth and then presses her lips together, clearly trying to psyche herself up rather than, well, out. She clenches her fist and a soft "you can do this, you can totally do this," can easily be heard under her breath.

One more nod and then:]

SO I AM- [She winces, nope, no, yelling bad. Deep breath.

Take two.]

Um, so hello! [She bows to the Omni.] Uh, for those of you who don't know me, my name is Usagi Tsukino. [She bows again.] Um... and uh, well I am starting a business! Uh... that is I can make things- er jewelry! And other things like incense holders and Omni charms or bag charms... or like... clay figurines, I guess.

I have a lot of things already made but otherwise everything will be custom made. [She's too nervous to remember to actually show her products though they are currently sitting behind her if asked.]

So... um- oh, yeah, everything is mostly clay, I can't sew like... at all, so... um... just putting that out there. [Hot glue guns are a gift from the heavens, as far as she's concerned.] I can do other materials like shells and metal but most everything is gonna be clay.

Uuuuh yes! Right, that's it!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! [She bows again. Turns out nightmare induced insomnia causes her to get crafty so as to not think of said nightmares.]